engleski

Scrotal infrared digital thermography in assessment of varicocele – pilot study to assess diagnostic criteria

Varicocele is a dilatation of pampiniform venous plexus. The incidence of varicocele is 15% in male population. It is associated with male infertility, as it is found in more than 40% of males in infertile couples. It presents common and treatable cause of male infertility. The main pathophysiological mechanism for impaired spermatogenesis in varicocele is considered to be elevated scrotal temperature. Mainstay for diagnostic assessment of varicocele is a physical examination and scrotal ultrasound/doppler. Thermography is a diagnostic method which measures temperature differences across the skin surface using a highly sensitive infrared camera. Scrotal thermography was demonstrated as a useful diagnostic method, especially in low grade varicocele as well as it could offer an opportunity as follow up method to validate a success of operation. Recent development of digital infrared thermographic focal plane array cameras offers the opportunity to revitalize this diagnostic method and further improve its accuracy. Currently there is no consensus regarding diagnostic parameters for digital thermography in diagnosis of varicocele. Aim of this study is to examine an application of digital thermography and propose diagnostic criteria for varicocele.

varicocele ; scrotal temperature ; thermography

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